Maxxforce 15

So there is a plethora about how junk the Maxxforce 13 is. Whats the scoop on the Maxxforce 15 this engine has the reliable C15 Cat block with Maxxforce emissions. Is this engine just as problematic as the MF13?

 

Well the engine wasn't in production very long, plus they dropped it for Cummins a short time later. What does that tell you? Sounds like a hodge podge engine to me. Maybe others will chime in on it's common issues? Never worked on one myself. What I cant understand is why someone like Caterpillar would let another company bolt all their emissions on their engine? Last stitch attempt at avoiding SCR?

 

What I couldn't understand about CAT, is why thy had a truck built with there name on it and had used a POS Navistar motor.

 

Sadly, the 15 liter is just as bad as the 13. It is a Cat block and head, but Navistar fuel and emissions all around it. Same as the 13 litre, the core engine is actually pretty good, but the emissions around it is what caused all the nightmares and expensive down time and repairs. I believe less than 1400 engines were ever produced. Support and updates are long abandoned. Those engines are no longer in warranty and Navistar has closed the book on them. Parts are starting to get harder to buy. Many dealers and shops out there have little to no experience working on them because of how rare they are and therefore aren't much help if you need it.

 

If you still buy one after what the most knowledgeable man we have on internationals. @Heavyd says above. Then you deserve what you get!

 

Considering that CAT bowed out of the North American truck market which means no longer contracting engine production runs to truck manufacturers AND their shutdown of one of their block tooling factories, we might reasonably conclude CAT had unsold longblock inventory that was already in "orphan" status. With the fiasco International had when accused in lawsuits of falsifying endurance and performance testing for the doomed Maxforce, they needed to cease placing the motors in more trucks as continuing to do so would only increase their liability - the least expensive, quick fix? CAT's orphaned longblocks maybe? I say this only to answer some comments above trying to figure out why CAT would allow its product to used in the manner International produced. I'm just using logical deduction and conclusion based on the info at hand in this forum string, not from an official report or industry news.

 

I'm not buying it. If Cat had wherehouses full of engines they could have easily just sold them to customers as new drop ins or longblocks for failed engines. Poor business decision if you ask me. Cat could still be putting engines in on highway trucks today if they chose to do so.

 

I would like to chime in on this, I currently work at a Navistar dealer and a local company happened to buy a 5900 paystar with the MF15 high hp, it hauls block all the way up to 120'000 ibs daily, that engine is probably in the most abusive application it could be in, at first they had nothing but issues always emissions related, and always replacing turbos Every 6 months, so after warranty ran out the company let me experiment with it, first I found that the type of filter they use for the crankcase breather gets plugged to Easley, I'd say in about 15,000 miles, we "deleted" it and now the high pressure turbo just turned 2 years old, and as far as Regen issues I found Navistar used to small of a inlet dpf differential pressure tube so it would get plugged with soot and cause a false soot level reading and always ask for a level 3 Regen once we installed a bigger tube that issue was solved the truck now has gone 100'000 miles with these "upgrades" with zero issues and the company says it's now there most reliable truck they have, I personally love the MF 15 I just think I gets a bad rap due to bad engaging that Navistar caused.

 

I’d like to know what exactly you did to fix the problems if you don’t mind? Trying to save a maxxforce 15 and make it a useful truck.

 

Hello there-
Not sure how this works. I've already asked my question, but it seems to have gone missing. I realize this thread is old, but I was wondering if you could offer any insight on the possibility of swapping out a Paystar 5000 Maxxforce 15 with a 3406e CAT. The fit should be good, but what to do about the wiring harness. Any pointers or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Regards.